RST powder in their lite 2 7/8" 10 ga. - Page 3

Bill Murphy · 01-30-2012, 05:59 PM

Paul, I'm not implying that I wouldn't reduce the powder charge of a 7500 psi load and shoot it. I'm saying I wouldn't reduce the powder charge of a 7500 psi load and recommend it to a new reloader without telling him of the possible problems that could be encountered.

Paul Harm · 01-31-2012, 08:36 AM

Bill, you are correct. Usually when going too light one will get a dirty barrel and then the bloopers, more so when it gets colder outside. Those loads I gave were for 12ga. For 10ga IMR shows three 2oz loads in a Fed hull, all different and four 2oz loads in a Rem hull all different. All are at 10,800PSI - a bit more than we're looking for. Paul

J.B. Books · 01-31-2012, 08:51 AM

Bill & Paul, remember most reloaders using MEC equipment will refer to the MEC bushing chart to select the proper bushing for the powder and amount they want to use. MEC bushings almost always drop a grain or two lighter than advertised in the bushing chart. Many people are shooting lighter powder charges than they think they are.

Big Friend Ten (BFT) · 01-31-2012, 09:33 AM

Pete,

Good point but every reloader needs to weigh their powder and shot charges at the start and at intervals during loading.

Mark

Paul Harm · 02-01-2012, 10:51 AM

Mec uses a single stage press for bushing sizes. With it the bar is under the powder bottle while you're crimping, depriming, and priming which allows the bushing to fill more than a progressive press where the bar is only momentarily under the powder bottle. You need to go up one bushing size if useing a progressive press. That's why, as Mark said, weigh all you loads. I use a digital scale [ about $35 ] and an adjustable bar [ about $35 ] . No more bushing and you can really dial in a load. Because humidity can change powder readings, I usually weigh once and let it go at that. Right now for clays I'm shooting a 24gm load [ 361grs or between 3/4 and 7/8 oz ]. Cheap on the wallet, easy on the arm, and breaks clays out to 50 yds. Paul

Bill Murphy · 02-01-2012, 02:39 PM

Paul, if I were reading through the IMR manual and found a 3800 PSI recommended load, as you did, I would either trash the manual or use my reloading knowledge to reject the load as a bad load. The manuals are full of loads that will not blow up a gun but are terrible loads. We should learn enough about the principles of reloading to recognize these bad loads.

Paul Harm · 02-02-2012, 02:45 PM

And the principles are ? In 12ga for the 24gm load - this is less than 7/8oz, the International load- there are 9 loads for Federal shells, 4 for the Winchester shell, and 2 for the Remington shell all 3000 to under 4000psi. For 1oz loads in the 4 to 5000 range - Fed there are 14, Win - 10, and Rem- 3. Am I going to throw out an IMR reloaders guide - NO. If one wants to cycle an auto loader you'd go around 9500 and up and not worry if you're in the 10 to 11,000 range. I don't hunt anymore - just shoot clays. So I'm not worried if a shell sounds a bit light. They still break clay pigeons out to 50yds. 1150fps with under 1oz loads are easy on the gun, easy on the shoulder, and light on the wallet. I load for the wife, daughter, granddaughter, and myself from 30 to 40 boxes a week for the past 5 or 6 years with no problem. Perhaps you could point out my foolish ways. Paul

Paul Harm · 02-02-2012, 02:54 PM

Alliant got back with me on my question about going lighter in the 10ga load. He said in the cold weather you may notice some light sounding shots. I know the loads we see are tested around 70 to 80 degrees and if shells are left out in the cold your velocity and pressures will go down. So it sounds like if the load is for hunting in cool weather you won't want to reduce it. Paul

Kensal Rise · 02-02-2012, 08:48 PM

Mr. Forge:
If you are curious as to the pressure and velocity of your 10-bore loads, just send some to Tom Armbrust. When he gets time, he will test them for you professionally. He charges $5 a shot and a 5-shot minimum. You can find his site on the web at http://www.armbrust.acf2.org.

Best, Kensal

Paul Harm · 02-03-2012, 10:18 AM

Kensal, please, it's Paul. I know Tom - he tested some loads that I mistakenly made and blew up a Remington damascus gun. That one took 22,500psi on the forth shot. I thought I was loading Pyrodex and was really useing PB [ 94grs ]. I should say my low pressure loads come from a target shooters side. All you guys reloading for hunting might or would have different ideas about pressure/FPS. I don't think of that sometimes,as can be seen with some of the discussions with Bill, and I'm sorry if I've offended you. I like everyone on this site and I'll try to keep it on the lighter side from now on. Paul